Uriel Epshtein
1) Hamas did not “release” the hostages. They were freed by force. 2) Does it concern you that Hamas was holding these hostages in a refugee camp with armed men surrounding them, thereby making that refugee camp a viable military target? (Some might call this “perfidious”)
Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt
Relieved that four hostages have been released. It should not have come at the expense of at least 200 Palestinians, including children, killed and over 400 injured by Israel and allegedly foreign soldiers, while perfidiously hiding in an aid truck. This is "humanitarian camouflage" at another level. Israel has used hostages to legitimise killing, injuring, maiming, starving and traumatising Palestinians in Gaza. And while intensifying violence against Palestinians in the rest of the occupied territory and Israel. Israel could have freed all hostages, alive and intact, 8 months ago when the first ceasfire and hostage exchange was put on the table. Yet, Israel refused in order to continue to destroy Gaza and the Palestinians as a people. This is genocidal intent turned into action. Crystal clear.